Here is another great resource for holiday eating, for those who are in recovery with an eating disorder:
http://www.gurze.com/client/client_pages/newsletteredt14.cfm
Another great idea: bring your own dish to the meal! It ensures that there is at least one "safe" food for you to eat, and may be able to reduce some of the stress associated with the food served at meal time.
Planning ahead is probably the best strategy, as everyone suffers from "emotion overload" when around friends and family at the holidays. Writing down what you are looking forward to, as well as what you are dreading, can help you prepare for situations. Come up with solutions before hand (how to say "no thank you" without being insulting; coming up with alternative topics of conversation to redirect questioning that is too personal).
I've noticed that some of my best social moments are when I think about who will be in attendance, and what is going on in that person's life. Then, just formulate a few easy questions ("how is the house-hunting coming along?" "How is Jimmy liking XYZ university?" "Didn't you take a long vacation oversees this year?") People LOVE talking about their lives, and it takes the pressure off of you to talk! Sometimes, family members are scrambling to find conversation, and may say inappropriate things, inadvertently. Having some "back up" discussion topics can help everyone involved.
Comment Reply
Here is another great resource for holiday eating, for those who are in recovery with an eating disorder:
http://www.gurze.com/client/client_pages/newsletteredt14.cfm
Another great idea: bring your own dish to the meal! It ensures that there is at least one "safe" food for you to eat, and may be able to reduce some of the stress associated with the food served at meal time.
Planning ahead is probably the best strategy, as everyone suffers from "emotion overload" when around friends and family at the holidays. Writing down what you are looking forward to, as well as what you are dreading, can help you prepare for situations. Come up with solutions before hand (how to say "no thank you" without being insulting; coming up with alternative topics of conversation to redirect questioning that is too personal).
I've noticed that some of my best social moments are when I think about who will be in attendance, and what is going on in that person's life. Then, just formulate a few easy questions ("how is the house-hunting coming along?" "How is Jimmy liking XYZ university?" "Didn't you take a long vacation oversees this year?") People LOVE talking about their lives, and it takes the pressure off of you to talk! Sometimes, family members are scrambling to find conversation, and may say inappropriate things, inadvertently. Having some "back up" discussion topics can help everyone involved.
December 2, 2008 - 4:02pmThis Comment
Reply